Sells 73 percent of Sibneft to state-owned Gazprom for $13 billion--not a bad return on original $50 million investment.

JANUARY 2007:

After taking a big stake in Russian steel conglomerate Evraz, scores biggest buyout in the history of U. S.--Russian relations, picking up Oregon Steel for $2.3 billion.

TODAY AND BEYOND:

Abramovich is one of Russia's richest men and also its fastest-growing export. With a reported net worth topping $23.5 billion, peerless political clout at home, and an expanding Western portfolio, he is leading the Russians' march into global markets.